Accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type

ABSTRACT

An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type providing means for adjusting an accessory in an infinite number of positions relative to the instrument for the convenience of a musician. The accessory holder is provided with a swivel ball joint on both ends of an angular support rod, one end being adapted to be mounted on an instrument such as a base drum, the other end being adapted to be mounted to an accessory such as a tom-tom, snare drum or cymbal, etc. Tension screws are provided to lock the swivel ball joints and angular support in any selected position. The aforementioned Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

United States Patent Grauso et a1.

[54] ACCESSORY HOLDER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE PERCUSSION TYPE [72] Inventors: Robert N. Grauso, Bayside; John J.

Morena, Levittown, both of NY.

[73] Assignee: C. F. Martin & Co., Nazareth, Pa. [22] Filed: Sept. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 176,939

[52] US. Cl. ..84/421, 287/21, 287/88 51 hit, Cl. ..G10d 13/02 [58] Fieldofsealch ..84/421,411;287/l2,21, 88

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS j 438,238 10/ 1890 Jefferies et a1 ..287/88 X 2,652,221 9/1953 Kampa ..287/21 X 2,844,064 7/1958 Bendett ..84/421 3,191,484 6/1965 Walling ..84/421 3,535,976 10/1970 OSuga ..84/421 r 3,561,716 .2/1971 Thompson ..84/421 X 3,576,149 4/1971 Slingerland ..84/421 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-John F. Gonzales Attorney-Leonard H. King [57] ABSTRACT An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type providing means for adjusting an accessory in an infinite number of positions relative to the instrument for the convenience of a musician. The accessory holder is provided with a swivel ball joint on both ends of an angular support rod, one end being adapted to be mounted on an instrument such as a vbase drum, the other end being adapted to be mounted to an accessory such as a tom-tom, snare drum 'or cymbal, etc. Tension screws are provided to lock the swivel ball joints and angular support in any selected position.

The aforementioned Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnEc 5 m2 3, 704,645

sum 1 nr 2 INVENTORS Robert N. Grouse BY John J. Morena ATTORNEY INVENTORS Robert N. Grauso BY John J. Moreno ATTORNEY '1 I ACCESSORY HOLDER FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE PERCUSSION TYPE The present invention relates to support brackets and, in particular, to a support bracket accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type capable of being adjusted and locked in an infinite number of positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Accessory holders for musical instruments, known in the prior art, frequently are adjustable in an infinite number of positions. These positions are selectable by a musician for his convenience and usually require adjustments and tightening of locking screws on the instrument, the accessory, and the right angle joint. In prior art holders, the level is set and the accessory such as a snare drum or tom-tom is adjusted to a position at the selected level. This frequently requires multiple adjustments until the desired position is obtained.

The locking device frequently applies pressure to a restricted area on the support rod which causes wear with repeated use. The locking device, generally a threaded bolt, must be capable of supporting the acces-' sory weight as well as the locking pressure and is required to retain theaccessory in position when in use.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, permitsran infinite number of positions to be chosen by the musician with an adjustment being made on the instrument and the accessory only since the support rod is fabricated as a unitary piece with a right angle bend. Tension screws used in the preferred embodiment causes pressure to be applied over a relatively large surface area of the support rod via atensioning plate and split ball. A swivel ball joint in conjunction with a right angle support rod permits an infinite range of adjustments.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type comprising a first swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to a drum shell, the ball joint having an opening centrally located therein; a support rod slidably mounted within the opening of the ball joint and extending therethrough; a second swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to the shell of an'accessory, the second ball joint having an opening therein for accepting the support rod; and means for locking the first and second swivel ball joints in a fixed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of abass drum with an accessory holder thereon supporting several accessoties.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the preferred em: bodiment of a swivel ball joint incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of a swivel ball joint.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a swivel ball joint used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 1, wherein a bass drum 10 is shown with several accessory holders 12, 14 and 16 mounted thereon. Accessory holder 12 and 14 support a pair of snare drums 17 and 18in a fixed position above and at an angle to the bass drum selected by a musician for his convenience. Accessory holder 16 fixedly supports a cymbal20 by means of a swivel ball joint 21 to thebass drum 10. The cymbal 20being affixed to the support rod 22 of accessory holder 16 in a conventional manner not shown.

Accessory holder 24 utilizes a swivel ball joint 26 wherein the support rod 22 is replaced by a spur 28 which is used to stabilize the bass drum 10 on an irregular surface. The spur 28 is equivalent to the support rod 22 and differs only in that the spur 28 is a straight rod with a conventionally tapered end while the support rod 22 is fabricated with substantially a right angle bend therein.

FIG. 2 is-an enlarged top view of the preferred swivel ball joint 21 which utilizes the principles of the present invention.

A clamping plate 30 having a diamond-like configuration has therein arelatively large or major hole 32 centrally located and several smaller or minor holes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44. The functions of which will be described hereinafter. The major hole 32 is chamfered at approximately 45 on both topand bottom inner surfaces 33 and 35. Two of the minor holes 42 and 44 are threaded to accept cooperating retaining screws 46 and 48, respectively. In the preferred embodiment shown, mirror holes 42 and 44 do not extend completely through the clamping plate 30. j

A split ball 50,-comprised of two similar halves S2 and 54, are provided with a hexagonal shaped opening 56 when mated. Opening 56 is adapted to encompass support rod 22 when it is inserted therein. Clamping plate 30 is adapted to be afiixed to the outer surface of a bass drum 10 which is provided with clearance holes corresponding in. location to the major and minor holes of the clamping plate 30.

A retaining plate 58, more clearly shows in FIGS. 3 and 5, and has a generally rectangular shape in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Retaining plate 58. contains a major hole 60 which is slightly larger than the major hole 32 of the clamping plate 30, and several minor holes 34', 36, 38, 40', 42', and 44', which are arranged in a position to cooperate with holes 34, 36, 38, 40 and 44 of the clamping plate 30. Minor holes 34' and 36' are threaded to accept cooperating retaining screws .62 and 64, respectively. The retaining plate 58 is adapted to be mounted on the inside wall of the bass drum juxtaposition clamping plate 30.

A tension plate 66 having the general shape of clamping plate 30 is provided with a major hole 68 which is chamfered at approximately a 45 angle on the top and bottom inner surface edges 70 and 72 of the major hole 68. Two threaded minor holes 38" and 40" are provided to cooperate with tension screws 74 and 76, respectively. Minor holes 38" and 40" are juxtaposition minor holes 38 and 40; and 38 and 40'.

In operation, the clamping plate 30 is placed on the top side of a drum wall 10 which is provided with a matching set of holes slightly larger than the hole 32 in the clamping plate 30. Retaining plate 58 is placed on the bottom side of the drum wall 10. Retaining screws 46 and 48 are inserted from the bottom side of the drum wall through holes 42' and 44', respectively, into threaded holes 42 and 44, respectively, and are tightened. Retaining screws 62 and 64 are inserted from the top side of the drum wall 10 through holes 34 and 36, respectively; into threaded holes 34' and 36', respectively, and are tightened thereby rigidly affixing the clamping plate 30 and retaining plate.58 to the drum l0.

Split ball 50 is inserted through major hole 60 into major hole 32 which is smaller than ball 50 and is retained in position by major hole 68 of tension plate 66. Tension plate is held in position by tension screws 74 and 76 which are inserted through holes 38, 38, and 40, 40' into threaded holes 38" and 4 respectively. Support rod 22 is then inserted in opening 56 of split ball 50 and tension screws 74 and 76 are tightened. Support rod 22 may be adjusted to any height and rotated 45 from the perpendicular in all directions until a position desired by a musician is I reached whereby tension screws 74 and 76 are finally tightened.

It is to be noted that tightening screws 74 and 76 decrease the gap between the halves 52 and 54 of split ball 50 thereby exerting pressure all along the support rod 22 within opening 56.

A similar swivel ball joint affixed to an accessory such as a tom-tom or snare drum may be used on the opposite end of support rod 22, thereby, providing an infinite position adjustment range.

It is to be noted that the support rod 22 of the preferred embodiment is hexagonal in shape and provides large surfaces for the clamping pressure to be applied and is formed with a right angle bend. The present invention is not intended to be limited to any specific angle or support rod shape.

Thus has been disclosed an accessory holder which is easily adjusted to an infinite number of fixed positions, has a minimum of components, and is inexpensive to manufacture.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type comprising:

a. a first swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to a drum shell, said ball joint having an opening centrally located therein;

b. a support rod slidably mounted within the opening of said ball joint and extending therethrough;

c. a second swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to the shell of an accessory, said second ball joint having an opening therein for accepting said support rod; and

d. means for locking said first and second swivel ball joints in a fixed position.

2. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim l'wherein said first and second swivel ball joint comprises:

a. a clamping plate adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of a drum shell;

b. a retaining plate adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of said drum shall juxtaposed said clamping plate;

c. a tensioning plate adapted to be mounted juxtaposed said retaining plate within said drum shell; and

d. a split ball, retained between said tensioning plate and said clamping plate, said ball having a centrally located opening adapted to slidably accept said support rod.

3. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said support rod is multifaceted.

4. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim 2 wherein said clamping plate and said tensioning plate are provided with centrally located major holes, said holes being internally chamfered on both surfaces.

5. An accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said support rod includes a right angle portion.

6. An accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of threaded holes adapted to cooperate with said clamping and tensioning plates.

7. An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type comprising in combination:

a. a clamping plate, adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of a drum shell, said clamping plate having therein several minor holes and a centrally positioned major hole, at least two of said minor holes being threaded;

b. a retaining plate, adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of said drum shell juxtaposed said clamping plate, said retaining plate having therein several minor holes and a centrally positioned major hole, at least two of said minor holes being threaded;

c. retaining means utilizing said minor holes of said retaining plate and cooperating with threaded minor holes of said clamping plate and said retaining plate for fixedly mounting said clamping plate and said retaining plate to said drum shell in juxtaposition;

d. a tensioning plate adapted to be mounted juxtaposed said retaining plate within said drum shell, said tensioning plate having therein at least two minor threaded holes and a major hole;

e. a split ball, having a centrally located opening therein and being larger in size than said major openings, said split ball being retained between said major openings of said tensioning plate and said clamping plate;

f. a support rod slidably mounted within said centrally located split ball opening and extending through said major openings; and

g. locking means, using the minor holes within said clamping plate and said retaining plate and cooperating with the minor threaded holes of said tensioning plate, for locking said support rod in a fixed position.

8. An accessory holder according to claim 7 wherein said split ball is provided with an internal polygonal clamping face adapted to mate with a similarly shaped support rod. 

1. An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type comprising: a. a first swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to a drum shell, said ball joint having an opening centrally located therein; b. a support rod slidably mounted within the opening of said ball joint and extending therethrough; c. a second swivel ball joint adapted to be fixedly mounted to the shell of an accessory, said second ball joint having an opening therein for accepting said support rod; and d. means for locking said first and second swivel ball joints in a fixed position.
 2. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said first and second swivel ball joint comprises: a. a clamping plate adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of a drum shell; b. a retaining plate adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of said drum shall juxtaposed said clamping plate; c. a tensioning plate adapted to be mounted juxtaposed said retaining plate within said drum shell; and d. a split ball, retained between said tensioning plate and said clamping plate, said ball having a centrally located opening adapted to slidably accept said support rod.
 3. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said support rod is multi-faceted.
 4. An accessory holder for musical instruments according to claim 2 wherein said clamping plate and said tensioning plate are provided with centrally located major holes, said holes being internally chamfered on both surfaces.
 5. An accessory holder according to claim 1 wherein said support rod includes a right angle portion.
 6. An accessory holder according tO claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of threaded holes adapted to cooperate with said clamping and tensioning plates.
 7. An accessory holder for musical instruments of the percussion type comprising in combination: a. a clamping plate, adapted to be mounted to an outer surface of a drum shell, said clamping plate having therein several minor holes and a centrally positioned major hole, at least two of said minor holes being threaded; b. a retaining plate, adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of said drum shell juxtaposed said clamping plate, said retaining plate having therein several minor holes and a centrally positioned major hole, at least two of said minor holes being threaded; c. retaining means utilizing said minor holes of said retaining plate and cooperating with threaded minor holes of said clamping plate and said retaining plate for fixedly mounting said clamping plate and said retaining plate to said drum shell in juxtaposition; d. a tensioning plate adapted to be mounted juxtaposed said retaining plate within said drum shell, said tensioning plate having therein at least two minor threaded holes and a major hole; e. a split ball, having a centrally located opening therein and being larger in size than said major openings, said split ball being retained between said major openings of said tensioning plate and said clamping plate; f. a support rod slidably mounted within said centrally located split ball opening and extending through said major openings; and g. locking means, using the minor holes within said clamping plate and said retaining plate and cooperating with the minor threaded holes of said tensioning plate, for locking said support rod in a fixed position.
 8. An accessory holder according to claim 7 wherein said split ball is provided with an internal polygonal clamping face adapted to mate with a similarly shaped support rod. 